Mechanical maintenance apprentice Review

As a maintenance technician at Hunterston B power station, our workforce maintains all the systems on site. Mechanical systems (pumps, diesel engines etc), Electrical systems (motors, lighting etc), Control and instrumentation (calibration of equipment/gauges etc). Each day we may have different task/s or could be carrying out the same task which could be taking more time as it is larger or of higher importance. We must ensure we comply with the site’s health and safety guidelines and follow our work order cards (instruction manual) step by step to ensure we complete the job to the correct standard.

Over the course of my 3 years so far I have learnt many new skills which range from new technical skills across mechanical, electrical and control and instrumentation. As I got streamed into the mechanical discipline in my second year I furthered my knowledge of mechanical systems as well as picking up new skills. Also in my first 2 years we learn a range of life skills and people skills in our life skill classes and trips away abroad. When arriving back on site, this is where your learning accelerates as you can put into practice what you learned in your first 2 years and can pick up many useful tips and techniques from the technicians you are working with.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship and firmly believe it is one of the best in the U.K. From the beginning of the journey moving to Portsmouth to coming home at the end of second year and starting on site, we are so well looked after. We have had so many great opportunities and I have made memories for life. I enjoy my day to day life on site, I enjoy the work and enjoy working with those around me.

Our programme is structured extremely well. When we first started everyone got sent on an ‘Outward bound’ week without meeting each other before to do different physical and mental skills challenges. This really got us out of our comfort zone to mix with others, but it was the best way and we all made friends really fast. We then were sent to Portsmouth to live on HMS Collingwood and train at HMS Sultan where we had different training courses/workshops every week to further our education. All our training was so specific to EDF it could be easily transferred back on site. And back on site now and there are plenty training courses which we get booked on to help further our knowledge of site.

We receive as much support as we need from our employer. Our line manager, team leaders and technicians always let us feel welcome if we have any queries, their door is always open wether it be work related or home related. This makes a massive difference knowing we feel confident when going to them for advice.

In my first 2 years in Portsmouth when we were in the hands of Babcock everyday, they were a huge help when gaining our qualifications. We were taught by the instructors who had years of experience in the Navy or other engineering backgrounds. They knew what they were talking about and again always had the door open for us if we needed any help.

It helps me to perform better in my role as I get to know about all the different systems that I will find on site and also learn all the engineering and maintenance techniques that I can use on site. As apprentice’s we can share knowledge learned through our qualification which again will help us become the best technician we can.

Over the course of the year there are activities to join in on. There is normally a weekly 5-aside football day. There are social days out at Christmas and end of the year in each team. There are fund raising events which take place outside and inside of work to raise money for a known charity.

Yes

I would recommend it as I have had not only learned lots whilst I was in Portsmouth but I had the time of my life, made memories for life and also made friends for life. The training is jam packed and you are constantly learning and bettering yourself. It is also very interesting maintaining and learning about nuclear reactors and how all the individual systems work.

Research a lot into the company. Research and consider the site you are applying for and consider the closing dates of that site. Know the basic knowledge of power generation of a nuclear power station. Practice apptitude tests online and when answering, quality over quantity. Be very health and safety concious and aware.